Toshiba is moving into large scale solar voltaic systems with the establishment of a photovoltaic systems division within its Toshiba Transmission Distribution & Industrial Systems - aiming to achieve an annual business scale of $2.2bn by 2015.
"Solar photovoltaic systems are moving beyond residential applications to large, megawatt-scale, projects for utility and industrial plants," said the firm. "Toshiba will secure orders for large solar power generation systems."
It is not focussing solar cell technology, but rather energy storage, handling and distribution expertise.
Toshiba has a battery technology dubbed SCiB (super charge ion battery) that can be charged to 90% of full capacity in five minutes.
"In components, the company includes high-efficiency power conditioning systems and the SCiB," said Toshiba. "We can point to capabilities in system integration, particularly in connecting generation systems to distribution systems, in microgrids that connect and manage dispersed small-scale power generation sources, and in large plant system engineering capabilities."
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